Want some V12 love?

[edyvw]

While not a V12 one of my favorite BMW'S is the E60 M5. The engine was developed during BMW's V10 F1 era and sounds crazy with the right exhaust. The 7.3 AMG in the Zonda sounds Amazing with a Titanium exhaust.

I still think this is the best car review:

 

[Carmudgeon]

I remember a local bmw had a clown shoe new back in the day. BMW saddled them with a 5 speed manual vs the M3 6 speed. From reading this was to keep the M coupe from being faster than the M3 as the M Coupe weighed less. Funny thing is that BMW dealerships couldn't get rid of the M coupes now they're collector items.

A similar situation with the M3 LTW. Few takers, even for a limited edition, when they were new, so they sat in showrooms. Perhaps not unexpected, for only a slightly more hardcore version (Al doors from the Euro model, strut brace, rear wing, forged wheels, unique seat trim, M flag stickers good for +50hp; just kidding) that had other features stripped away (no radio, no A/C), for a higher price. A parts bin concoction, aimed at a limited audience, really.

The E36/8 didn't suffer from that, but its quirky looks meant that it would by appreciated by few.

In that era, the BMW 5-speeds in the smaller cars had similar, if not identical ratios, with a direct drive fifth gear. They played with the final drive ratio to do the heavy lifting. The 6-speeds brought an overdrive top gear, but IIRC, didn't change much else.

"Collectable" is a loaded term, that has no meaning until proven by someone willing to pay the price, but the fact was that they weren't desired models at the time. That may have changed, especially for the '01 models with the S54, but it's still a limited audience, even if more have discovered and recognized its charms.

An E30 M3, made in much higher numbers, will still have more value, and desirability, and people willing to pay their current prices.

 

[tvaughn]

A similar situation with the M3 LTW. Few takers, even for a limited edition, when they were new, so they sat in showrooms. Perhaps not unexpected, for only a slightly more hardcore version (Al doors from the Euro model, strut brace, rear wing, forged wheels, unique seat trim, M flag stickers good for +50hp; just kidding) that had other features stripped away (no radio, no A/C), for a higher price. A parts bin concoction, aimed at a limited audience, really.

The E36/8 didn't suffer from that, but its quirky looks meant that it would by appreciated by few.

In that era, the BMW 5-speeds in the smaller cars had similar, if not identical ratios, with a direct drive fifth gear. They played with the final drive ratio to do the heavy lifting. The 6-speeds brought an overdrive top gear, but IIRC, didn't change much else.

"Collectable" is a loaded term, that has no meaning until proven by someone willing to pay the price, but the fact was that they weren't desired models at the time. That may have changed, especially for the '01 models with the S54, but it's still a limited audience, even if more have discovered and recognized its charms.

An E30 M3, made in much higher numbers, will still have more value, and desirability, and people willing to pay their current prices.

Here is a video of me as a passenger 6 years ago, it was Paul Walker's E36 M3 LTW before it went to auction:



My buddy had me come by his storage garage (near Leno's) where he stores celeb/wealthy people's cars including Walker's collection at one point. He threw me in there to give a rundown on the car as the resident BMW "expert," all in one take and no prep haha.

 

[Ranger83]

 

[loneryder]

A neighbor growing up bought a brand new silver 850i, it was quite striking (and imposing for that matter) seeing it drive slowly through the neighborhood as a child. There is an OG video from the early days of the internet now continuing to live on Youtube of an 850CSi going ~186 mph on the Autobahn for a few minutes straight, what a machine:

Pretty smooth ride.